The “Development of Yachting Facilities in Malta” report, as issued by D&T Consulting Group for the Malta Maritime Authority, states in Chapter 3, Sections 3.3 and 3.4, that “the development of a yacht marina along a natural coastline will result in the loss of flora and fauna, possible Poseidonia meadows, which are considered to be the most important ecosystem along the Mediterranean coastal waters... The site suggested between Gzira Gardens (actually the original name is Ta' Xbiex Gardens)... developed from stones cut from Rue D'Argens near Wembley... involves a coastline as that should not be considered for a temporary marinas."
It goes on to say that a “yacht marina could result in further increase in traffic parking in an already established urban areas, causing more congestion, further delays and pollution, besides noise pollution. Therefore, most of the seafront residents who signed the petition, are all very concerned that this proposed marina if approved would also be of a great nuisance because of horrible noise coming from mast wire or ropes banging etc. against the pole, when its windy and the additional pressure from yacht persons to seek a parking space close to their yacht."
This report identifies as its objectives strategies “to protect coastal and marine habitants and biodiversity”; “to protect cultural heritage” and “to protect coastal uses that necessitate a coastal location,” and finally it also states “to minimize existing and potential user conflicts.”
Because of this objectives it is good to note that this particular area, being a habitant to various marine life, would be 100% endangered if MEPA allowed the building of concrete plate-form or offices and with regular motor movement... not to mention the noise and waves that would be regularly discharge from yachts/motor boats running on diesel, petrol or oil.
It is a fact that a certain amount of fuel that enters into a motor would be automatically discharged out unexpectedly as unburned, and this ends up in the seawater which moves with current. This is not the fault of yacht/boat owners, but is a normal thing that does happen and this would still endangers our marine life form within this area as it is already doing at present [see Convention for the Protection of Mediterranean Sea Against Pollution - Malta Adhesion on 30 December 1977].
One must also remember that due to either direct contact of yachts/boats with their propellers, even though they might be placed for example about 50 metres away from shoreline they may always be a source of mortality to most fish species, including various crabs, worms, shrimps, etc., apart from excessive pollution coming from exhaust or from some other form of spills that would be definite toxic to most of these fish species of this area.
Then, as regards Chapter 3, Section 3.4, one cannot forget that in the years prior to 1910, Ta' Xbiex was not yet built but consisted only in fields (except for one farmhouse) and had no official name but was known as the property “tal Baruni” (Moroni Testaferrata Viani). Because fishermen from Msida and Gzira would come to hang their fishing nets (“xbieki”) along the sea-front rocks of this particular coast-line (where is being suggested to be covered with concrete), a nick-name for the place was “tax-xbieki”... later “ta' xbieki”, and probably later still transformed to the present Ta' Xbiex.
This fact was confirmed to me by three fishermen who where well in their eighties whom I met some years ago [1965-8] who recalled that this particular piece of land was uninhabited in the year 1910 except for the uppermost red farmhouse (known as Ir-Razzet l-Ahmar” (close to the housing estate) and the first houses were built on 20th November 1933 (Sanitary permission No: 2587/33) along the street now named as Ta’ Xbiex Terrace, which was at first known as Upper Ta Xbiex Road.
Therefore, by covering this shoreline with concrete, even to a small part, this would be damaging our cultural heritage, which gave the place its name, and therefore MEPA's duty is to protected and safeguard our heritage.
In Chapter 3, Section 3.5 of the “Development of Yachting Facilities in Malta”, it clearly express the following statement:.."Some stretches of coastline (Ta' Xbiex Coast Road) are used extensively for leisure uses particularly swimming." It goes on to state that "the development of a yacht marina could result in the loss of amenity, in that a stretch of coastline is rendered as unsuitable for swimming"; and finally, "this could be either due to the loss of direct access to the water or to the degradation of the water quality." Therefore, due to the proposed yacht marina this popular swimming area before and after the water polo club would become as unsuitable for swimming, especially since another group of pontoons would also be built very close to this particular area.
The residents and others that are against the destruction of this particular marine environment and heritage area have protested against this, because our rights and our shores are not only being mutilated, but totally dilapidated. Therefore, what is the local council of Ta' Xbiex doing about this matter in the interest of all residents of Ta' Xbiex? Surely, not like what the council of San Pawl-Il-Bahar did for the residents of their area?
This original of this petition had so far been signed by hundreds, not only those from Ta' Xbiex but also from surrounding areas in support of our pledge, apart from those that are being regularly being daily signed on the website http://taxbiex.epetitions.net.
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